Childhood Lost

Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).

Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.

Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism

(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)

"What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless."

John Stone,

UK media editor, Age of Autism

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"The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country."

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

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June 7, 2019, Irish Times: Limerick school extension wins RIAI architecture award—Building designed for students with autism named top in people’s choice category https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/limerick-school-extension-wins-riai-architecture-award-1.3918053A Limerick primary school extension for students with autism has won the annual Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) people’s choice design award….
The winning design was an extension of the school, built to provide two Autism Syndrome Disorder (ASD) classrooms, and included a sensory garden and activity space for students.
The all-boys primary school building was designed by Limerick-based firm Drake Hourigan Architects. Buildings and projects eligible to enter the awards were all completed in 2018.
The purpose of the designated autism classrooms was to assist the pupils moving into the adjoining mainstream classes over time, through efforts to encourage socialising between the classes. …
The awards will be handed out at a dinner ceremony on Friday evening at the Mansion House.
Carole Pollard former RIAI president and chair of the judging panel, described the winning Limerick school design as a “spectacular” project. “The shortlist was made up of 41 exceptional projects including residential homes, commercial spaces, schools, heritage locations and public spaces,” she said.